I love America. I am patriotic. I try to be a good citizen. What does all this mean anymore? What does America stand for now? This was once a country touted for its democratic government and above all, Liberty. Blood was spilled for this liberty. The blood and tears of true American heroes are being shed daily, and few of us know it.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

There was once a time in this country when a person had to commit a crime to be charged and convicted for the crime. This is no longer true. New laws about "Terroristic Threats" now make it possible for the government to charge and convict you of a crime that you did not commit- only talked about committing.

Have you ever, in anger, yelled "I'm going to kill you!" with no intention of actually harming the person? I have. I have also witnessed many who have done so. When we are angry we often say things we don't really mean, or threaten actions we would never actually take.

Have you seen the movie "Minority Report"? This movie illustrates what can happen when a government decides to arrest citizens not for crimes they have committed but rather for crimes they may commit.

American citizens are no longer able to make a choice to commit a crime or not- we will go to jail if the government believes we might commit the crime.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Many schools allow the searching of our children without warrants or even your permission. Sometimes the searches are of our child's belongings (backpacks, purses, pockets) and sometimes they are of our child's person- like in Savana Redding's case. This should never have happened. This should never happen again. This lawsuit may help stop this abuse of rights.

From ACLU:
"Savana Redding, an eighth grade honor roll student at Safford Middle School in Safford, Arizona, was pulled from class on October 8, 2003 by the school’s vice principal, Kerry Wilson. Earlier that day, Wilson had discovered prescription-strength ibuprofen – 400 milligram pills equivalent to two over-the-counter ibuprofen pills, such as Advil – in the possession of Redding’s classmate. Safford maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all prescription medicines, including prescription-strength ibuprofen. Under questioning and faced with punishment, the classmate claimed that Redding, who had no history of disciplinary problems or substance abuse, had given her the pills.

After escorting Redding to his office, Wilson presented Redding with the ibuprofen pills and informed her of her classmate’s accusations. Redding said she had never seen the pills before and agreed to a search of her possessions, wanting to prove she had nothing to hide. Joined by a female school administrative assistant, Wilson searched Redding’s backpack and found nothing. Instructed by Wilson, the administrative assistant then took Redding to the school nurse’s office in order to perform a strip search.

In the school nurse’s office, Redding was ordered to strip to her underwear. She was then commanded to pull her bra out and to the side, exposing her breasts, and to pull her underwear out at the crotch, exposing her pelvic area. The strip search failed to uncover any ibuprofen pills.

“I was embarrassed and scared, but felt I would be in more trouble if I did not do what they asked,” said Redding in a sworn affidavit following the incident. “The strip search was the most humiliating experience I have ever had.”

The strip search was undertaken based solely on the uncorroborated claims of the classmate facing punishment. No attempt was made to corroborate the classmate’s accusations among other students or teachers. No physical evidence suggested that Redding might be in possession of additional ibuprofen pills or that she was concealing them in her undergarments. Furthermore, the classmate had not claimed that Redding was currently possessing additional pills, nor had the classmate given any indication as to where they might be concealed. No attempt was made to contact Redding’s parents prior to conducting the strip search."

Saturday, March 1, 2008

What exactly is probable cause for a police officer to detain you and search you, including your body cavities? Well, I always thought you had to be breaking a law or at least a traffic ordinance, or the police had to see evidence with their own eyes. I guess not.

A police officer sees a person sitting in a vehicle at 2 o'clock am. The last time I checked, this wasn't against the law. The officer walks up to the "suspicious person", a white male who appears to be between 30 and 40 years old. The officer tells the man to keep his hands on steering wheel and asks why he is there sitting in his vehicle. In America, we have to explain to the police what we are doing, just because they want to know?Read More...

Monday, February 11, 2008

February 2007- Curtis Hiett, a 17 year old high school student, was arrested. His crimes? According to WMAQ News in Chicago, Curtis Hiett said "some disturbing things" and "alarming comments" to some of his classmates. Police were called when school officials found material he had written. The young man had a noose made from a shoelace hanging from his rear-view mirror in his car, and had possession of a confederate flag.

Some kids at the school are claiming the young man is racist. So what? Being racist isn't a crime. I believe it is morally wrong, but this is America, where we are allowed to be racist and we are allowed to stand against racism.

It is unconstitutional to arrest someone because of what they say or write, or even for hanging a noose from their rear-view mirror. Hell, if they are going to start arresting teens for what they hang from their rear-view mirrors they ought to start with my Aunt Katie. For years her rear-view mirror decoration was a burned up, decapitated barbie! (And she turned out to be a solid, law abiding citizen!)

Bill of Rights of the United States of America

Amendment ICongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.Amendment IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.Amendment IIINo Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.Amendment VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.Amendment VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.Amendment VIIIExcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.Amendment IXThe enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.Amendment XThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.